Darylynn commented on my previous post about her animals taking the tags off presents under the tree which made things a bit confusing. This took me back a number of years to a Christmas when my 40-year old children were little.
As kids do, Jim and Jill were always under the tree as Christmas approached checking out what new presents were added while they were in bed. Their thing was to count and see who had the most at the time. By Christmas morning, I made sure each had the same number of presents under the tree but the weeks before the big day could find one child way out in front with the number count. So, one year I decided to thwart their daily investigation. Instead of names, I put a number on the package. Then on a piece of paper I made a list of the number of the gift and who it was to. This, of course, stopped the counting game but they still would touch and feel and try to guess.
Very proud of myself, I decided that this needed to be a yearly custom. And it very could have become one except for one small detail.
On Christmas morning, the kids were all ready for Dad to hand out the presents but Mom couldn't find the list anywhere! I had carefully put it away and was sure I remembered where - but try as I may, it was gone! As Dad handed the gifts out, some I could remember what they were and so were delivered to the appropriate child. But there were some that, even after feeling, I was clueless as to what they were. Those were given out as guess work.
And it turned out that a lot of my guess work was off quite a bit. Luckily I had bought very gender specific gifts to it was easy for the child to know if it was not theirs. Jim was quickly able to know that the Barbie he had unwrapped was not intended for him.
It was really a fun, hilarious time and we were all laughing until our sides hurt by the time all the gifts were unwrapped. It made for a fun Christmas memory.
But I never did that again!
Hi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI know you mean the weekend after Thanksgiving ;-) That is usually my custom too but I'm starting early this year along with every one else - why not!
I've already started my bedroom, but just a little. This Sunday, it's ALL coming out, lol.
That is such a funny story about your wrapping the gifts :)
ROFLOL! That's so funny, Melanie! I, too, forget what's in presents and sometimes I want them opened in a certain order so I started making little clues on the backs of the tags so I could remember. Then the kids discovered that so they were trying to guess before opening.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the litter box, Hayley doesn't seem to make too much effort to try and cover but she has always been meticulous in the past. I just don't think they have the urge to do all that digging and covering since it's not sand. I'm still keeping my sand litter box downstairs in the kitchen for the boy cats because the floor is tile and easy to sweep up the sand but the other box is great on the hardwood in the computer room. It's so nice not to have to go after all that sand everyday and it could scratch the floor. I think the box and a month supply of pads (4) and pellets is around $35.00 but you can get that $10.00 off coupon online. There was one on the box, too, so I didn't need the online one.
Too funny! It brought back memories for me too! I did exactly the same thing and when the kids saw the #'s instead of names it drove the positively bonkers. It was sooooo funny even tho they didn't think so.
ReplyDeleteUnlike yours, I knew exactly what # belonged to each one & thought it was a fine idea.
I loved your story Melanie..we never put gifts out before Christmas..after the kids went to bed Christmas Eve then was the time we put everything under the tree...but the grandkids have done that in past years because now I put everything under the tree as soon as it's wrapped!! Love your pictures too of your decorations..I am still waiting until after Thanksgiving...but I'm getting anxious!! HUGS
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